Prince William records message and asks fans to tune into his Earthshot Prize summit in New York

Prince William has made his first speech since the death of the Queen as he addressed the Earthshot Prize summit in New York today in a pre-recorded message.  

The Prince of Wales, 40, was due to travel to New York for a solo trip this week to give a speech at a conference for his environmental initiative, which aims to find solutions to repair and protect the planet.

However the royal cancelled his trip after his grandmother The Queen’s death earlier this month, and looked deeply emotional and appeared pensive throughout his grandmother’s funeral in London as well as her committal service in Windsor, on Monday. 

The Prince of Wales returned to work today as he pre-recorded a message which was played at the conference. 

In the pre-recorded message at the event, the royal began by saying: ‘Although it is the saddest circumstances that I am unable to join you today, I am able to join you in video form as you gather in New York for the Earthshot Prize innovation summit.’

He went on to confirm he and Kate would travel to Boston in December for the second Earthshot Prize award ceremony, adding they are ‘so excited.’

Inspired by Kennedy’s Moon Shot proposal in the 1960s, which put the first man on the moon and led to the development of new technology, the Earthshot Prize is set to award £50 million in rewards over 10 years.